Chapter 327 Rurik at Lake Malaren

Go to the south, of course you have to go to the south!

Rurik completely regards himself as a big leader with weighty words. Now a major opportunity related to the future development of the Russian people is placed in front of him. If he cannot seize it, it will greatly damage the interests of the tribe. .

Niya in the inner room heard all this, and she hurried out of the room.

"Rurik, you are going to Mälaren?!"

"Yes."

"That's too dangerous, I know you want to To do a business, but you..."

"Are you worried about me?" Rurik asked knowingly.

"Yes." Niya stared straight: "I heard your conversation. Your father is still in Novgorod. Since Olegin asked the leader to give an answer, at this time Maybe Harold Zuosen will represent you..."

"No! I have decided that the money is mine, buying food is also my business, and selling iron is just my business. A war chief who was appointed by his father to guard his hometown has been addicted to women for a year, so his words can have weight."

Niya was surprised and couldn't help but sigh at her son's palace.

She figured that she could not and had no reason to stop her son. After all, he had no control over his mother.

At this moment Snoreva hurriedly promised: "Dear Madam, if Rurik goes to the south, my family will always protect his safety."

"You?" Niya looked at the fat Snoreva's narrowed eyes: "Let's forget it. My son must be protected by excellent soldiers when he goes to the south. Trust you? I trust my nephew more."

Niya immediately made her attitude clear. Of course Rurik can go to the south. As a mother, he needs excellent soldiers to protect his safety. She knocked on the floor: "I know you are in a hurry, when do you plan to return?" ”

“Probably tomorrow.” Snoreva said

“So soon?” Rurik was also a little surprised by Snoreva’s words.

Niya suppressed the surprise in her heart, "Then call Haro Zuosen and Arik over quickly. Rurik, you need to inform Haro Zuosen, Arik and others you trust about this matter. Flo, I only trust these two people to protect your safety.”

In a moment, the person who was supposed to come hurriedly ran away like the leader’s house.

Haro Zuosen panted: "Rurik, you actually want to go to the south. Even if it is a big business, maybe the big leader should take you there, just like in the past."

Rurik’s expression remained unchanged: “I have made up my mind, no one can stop me.”

“Yes, of course I can’t stop you, but what should I do if the big leader comes back? Tell him?"

"Are you afraid that he will punish you?" Rurik asked deliberately.

"Of course! To be honest, he ordered me to protect you."

"Oh, that's really a thank you for you. But I am not young anymore, and I must do something." Now the leader of Melalen has named us Rus people to send people to attend the meeting.If I don't go, why don't you go? ”

Rurik completely defeated Haro Zuosen’s army, but Haro Zuosen really knew himself. His task was only to guard his hometown. If something happened, he would handle it. That was all.

Harozolson does not have the authority to deal with tribal affairs, and his power is not even as good as that of the high priest.

Arik said in a low voice: "Go to Melalen?" interesting. Brother, there is nothing to be afraid of. There are many people in Mellaren, but most of them are cowards. Hallo Johnson is afraid of them, but I am not. "

"You...sigh. "Hallo Zuosen was a little angry. He lowered his head and said, "Arik, you still have to be careful about them. I am older than you and naturally know more. The great leader has not gone south for so many years. No one knows the attitude of the Melalen people. "

"Even so, I am not afraid. I can easily kill ten enemies. Give me a hundred people and I will dare to attack the Danes! ”

Arik’s bold words were very encouraging, but Rurik heard a hint of dangerous possibility from Haro Zuosen’s mouth.

Hongmen Banquet? Not so. The Mellaren people Are you too full to attack your allies? Perhaps the leaders of the two tribes have not been in contact for a long time, and it is not unreasonable for the two sides to be wary of each other.

Thinking of this, Rurik felt that he needed to bring someone with him. A large guard force will be sent, which should be led by the two generals Arik and Jevro.

Since the leader of Melalen intends to do business, he is essentially eager to exchange food for weapons. Change it.

Since ancient times, the arms trade has been really profitable. After all, it is a tool for a group to ensure its own security, and it is worth spending a lot of money to own it.

This makes it worth it. Manufacturers can make huge profits from this.

What makes Rurik happy is that despite the cold climate, there are still a lot of onions coming back from the south.

They are all Gur. Purchased by the De family, the arrival of the onions is a real help to the Russian people, making people feel that the agricultural situation this year is not serious. It even has additional significance, that is, it makes the people think that the situation this year will not be too bad. The German ships brought the first batch of agricultural products from the south, and there must be a large number of fleets on the way.

The situation is urgent, and Rurik estimates that he will have to rush on the sea for two to three days. It would take two days to reach Melalen by day and night.

Rurik organized fifty people, including veteran warriors selected by Arik and his own Jingruo mercenaries. They all have two characteristics in common. First, they killed many enemies. Second, they were well-equipped. Each of them had chain mail, steel swords, steel axes, and even deerskin wooden shields hardened with pine gum.

Of course Rurik did not leave empty-handed. A large amount of leather he caught during the summer was shipped to Fort Ross, most of which had been tanned, including some precious bear skins.

Of course. , and the money to purchase a large amount of agricultural products, as the person who controlled the "big money box", he easily withdrawn a lot from the priest's longhouse.Five hundred Roman pounds of silver coins, which weighed nearly two hundred kilograms, were undoubtedly the payment for the purchase of grain.

A huge amount of wheat and vegetables will be transported back from this trip. Rurik is glad that his cousin has captured a large number of fishing boats, and now they must also serve as transport ships.

The next morning, after a night's rest, Rurik and his people hurried to the dock of Gould's house.

A large number of people have boarded the ships, and as many as thirty ships are waiting to set sail.

Rurik and Carlotta stood on the trestle in costumes, facing Niya, Harozolson, and other farewells.

"Alas, this is business after all, and it is for our tribe. You two should be careful when you go to the south."

Thousands of words cannot express the love a mother has for her child. Worried, now Niya is also worried about her adopted daughter Carlotta.

"Don't worry anymore, Mom, I will take care of things. When we return, we will bring enough wheat for us to eat for a year." Rurik encouraged.

“Oh I hope so, Carlotta is going too, maybe she doesn’t have to go.”

“I have to go.” Carlotta said, “Mom, after all, I It’s the leader of the Ostara tribe. They think my tribe is finished. I’m going to tell the leader this time that there are other tribes. We are reborn under the protection of the Ross people.”

Niya’s nose felt sore, and when there was a gust of cold wind, she covered her mouth and stopped talking.

As for Haro Zuosen, he had nothing to say. When Rurik stepped on the plank and boarded the ship, he waved his hands vigorously: "I will continue to guard, and I will tell the big leader everything."

Rurik was wrapped in a sheepskin blanket to resist the cold wind from the north, his eyes always looking ahead.

After all, this was his first time running south. He had no experience to speak of, and his knowledge of the Melalen tribe was limited to hearsay.

Compared to standard warships, Rurik still prefers stocky transport ships. It is wide and tough. The mortise and tenon structure and the sun-dried oak ensure the overall solidity. The extensive use of rosin seals all the gaps, so that huge waves cannot destroy it.

But the only drawback is that all transport ships are still not equipped with Class A, but some wooden boards are installed across them to artificially separate the cargo from the place where people stand, and this is already an innovation.

Okay, its speed is still not as fast as a warship, but it relies entirely on wind power and requires fewer people to operate it. In terms of cost performance, it is very high.

The whole day sailing did not end with nightfall.

The wind weakened at night. In order to avoid getting lost, the fleet deliberately stayed close to the coastline. The sailors who kept watch and controlled the sails looked at the west dimly.Facing the hazy sight and using the stars to navigate, the fleet continued to move forward.

A new day has arrived. No one knows how far the fleet has fallen to the ground in the past night. Fortunately, the entire team is in order.

Rurik slept overnight wrapped in a sheepskin. When he woke up, he nudged the sleeping Carlotta next to him.

"Ah, are we here?" The girl rubbed her eyes vigorously. She took off the sheepskin for her bed, and when a chill hit her, she put the sheepskin back on.

"Be careful, don't get sick." Rurik said, wrapped in sheepskin.

The severe cold hit Carlotta, and her sleepy eyes disappeared. She stood up wrapped in sheepskin, ignoring her hungry belly, and looked at the foggy south with her big eyes.

She asked casually: "How long will we continue sailing?"

Snoleva, who had already woken up and was gnawing on a dried fish, casually said: "Maybe tonight. Anyway, we’re almost there.”

“Can’t we go faster?” Rurik urged impatiently, “This damn ship is really big but it can’t keep out the cold. I have to stay here for a long time. Sick."

Snoleva shrugged: "My lord, our voyages are like this."

"How can you bear it?"

"Ah, it's really magical." Rurik patted his head vigorously: "By the way, what we have arranged for you is to invite the shipbuilders from Malaren to Ross."

"I'm already doing it. As for how many people I've convinced, I'll only know when the fleet returns."

"Well, I hope a good shipbuilder comes. , they can build me a cargo ship that can carry wooden houses.”

Snoleva didn’t pay attention to Rurik’s mumbling at all, but here in Rurik, the plan had already been set. What is needed are shipbuilders who can churn out cargo ships. Therefore, when going south this time, whether by kidnapping or buying them with a lot of money, we must win over several shipbuilders to go to Fort Ross.

The sea fog has dissipated, but the north wind is still howling. Although the sun is shining high, the weather can never return to the warmth of the past.

There are more and more fishing boats in the sea. Some of them are Ross fishing boats that go far out to catch herrings and whales, and even more are boats from the Mellaren and Uppsala people.

Snoleva, who was standing on the bow of the pilot boat, saw that the time was right and suddenly shouted: "Hang the signal flag, all ships follow us and prepare to turn!"

Lying on the ground Rurik, who was drowsy in the cabin, was fed up with the ups and downs. He was very grateful that he had the physique of a maritime nation and had no signs of seasickness.

He and Carlotta got up, and the mercenary soldiers also sat upright. I saw all the ships turning under the control of the sailors of the Gould family. The fleet began to shuttle between a large number of green offshore islands, and finally plunged into a large fjord with its eyes on it.

On some islands, low thatched mud houses appeared, as well as wandering miniature fishing boats operated by only two or three people, and even people fishing in simple clothes appeared on the shore.

Looking at the sudden intrusion of the transport fleet, they all stood up and paid attention.

"Hey! Snoleva, what are these Mälarens looking at?"

"Of course they are looking at us."

"Looking at us?" What do we have to see?" Rurik asked in confusion.

"Because we are Rus! Sir, there is no fleet from the north as large as ours."

Very large? It's just thirty ships.

Rurik said no more. He stood beside the boat and tried to reach out to touch the water, but his arm was too far from the waterline.

Cargo ships are like this. They have large hulls and deep drafts.

Rurik paid attention to the surrounding scene. To the west was a wide body of water, with islands of various sizes on both sides of the ship, and a large number of residential buildings scattered here and there.

At this time, a sailor threw down the wooden barrel tied with a rope, and then picked up the barrel filled with water.

I just tilted the sail and let the rudder at the rear adjust and lower it. The sturdy ship turned and the sailors were sweating profusely.

Rurik was surprised to see the shirtless sailor, who was not afraid of the cold, actually holding a huge bucket and drinking water directly.

"Hey! Are you stupid? You are actually drinking sea water!"

The sailor couldn't help but laugh when he saw Rurik talking, but he continued to drink the water.

Just when Rurik was confused, Snoleva stood up to explain: "Sir, actually from the time we entered the island group, the water body we were in was Lake Malaren. They drank It’s all fresh water.”

“Huh?” Rurik pointed directly under the boat, “We have entered the big lake?”

"Hurry up and tell us when we will arrive."

Snoleva was stunned for a moment and responded hurriedly: "Tonight at the earliest, if you don't want to spend another night on the lake."

"Hurry! I want to arrive at your island tonight. Listen, this is an order."

The wide Lake Malaren is more like the sea. There are many small islands on the lake, and a large number of Malaren People's fishing boats are catching freshwater fish, and there are a lot of green fields beside the lake, which are undoubtedly wheat fields.

It was already evening, and Rurik’s energy was being consumed by the long voyage.

The thin lake fog rose a little more, and the setting sun softly illuminated the whole world like a fairyland.

People living by the lake call this scene "Melaren" and imagine the existence of the goddess Melalen, who is the goddess who bestows abundant water production and farmland irrigation on the lakeside residents.

Such myths are full of people’s hopes for a stable life.

However, the agriculture of the Mellaren people really depends on the sunshine in summer. There were more people fishing on the lake than in previous years, and Rurik saw a large number of boats as the fleet continued deeper.

"We have reached the hinterland of the lake?" Rurik asked.

"It will be here soon, oh, thanks to the damn north wind, ITheir speed is really fast. "It was also the first time that Snoleva completed the route from Rosberg to Mälarenberg in just two full days. He had to sigh with emotion. If his father's orders hadn't been so urgent, he wouldn't have worked so hard. < /p>

Rurik didn’t think this was a feat, just like when he saw the astonishing number of Melalen fishing boats, he took it for granted that they were indeed a powerful tribe qualified to be the leader of the alliance.

In fact, the real situation is that this year's wheat harvest is destined to fail, and the desperate farmers have to return to their old profession of fishermen. Tens of thousands of people rush to the vast lakes to fish for fish to prevent starvation.

After all, most of them are tenant farmers who work for the leader Olegin. The more bad the harvest is, the more they lose hope in Olegin's kindness.

Because Olegin is also a principled man after all. , the agreed rent will not be affected by natural disasters

The sky is already very dark, and a large number of gray shadows appear in the distance, looming in the last glow of the sky.

Rurik was already very sleepy, but Carlotta couldn't care less. She curled up and took a nap like a golden cat.

"That's the Malaren Market, and all the shadows are there. their house. "Snoreva guided.

Rurik looked at it and couldn't help but be shocked by the hugeness of Mälarenberg. Think about it, they are located on the lakeside plain, and they can cultivate and build unscrupulously. Unlike Fort Ross, which is dominated by mountains and rocks.

“Where is Gould’s Island? ”

“Right there! Snoleva skillfully pointed to the dim light of a raptor, "Even if it's dark, I won't get the wrong direction." Sir, we have arrived at our destination, and the fleet is forging ahead. ”

“Then hurry up. I hope Gould will roast a lamb as usual for me and my warriors. ”

Snoleva replied sincerely: “Don’t worry, my father will entertain everyone.” Including sailors who operate sails and rudders. ”